This unit provides students with an introduction to communication skills in music. By teaching through music, rather than just about it, the unit deals intrinsically with musical thinking and its 'translation' into the written and spoken word. Through a series of interrelated lectures and workshops, students learn how to converse and write about various forms of music notation and music research, present performance/composition program notes, write concert and CD reviews, as well as use specialised music indexes, catalogues and electronic databases [e.g. Repertoire International des Sources Musicales (RISM), Repertoire International de la Litterature Musicale (RILM), Heyer and Duckles]. The unit is designed to provide skills that may be applied to, and further developed in, a range of subsequent units within the Music Studies major. This is a compulsory unit in the Music Studies major in the Bachelor of Arts degree. It is also open to students enrolled in other majors and degree pathways who have an interest in music.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate a high level of music notation, critical reading and critical thinking skills in relation to music-specific subject matter; (2) translate musical ideas in relation to music performance and composition, and communicate them effectively in verbal and written spheres; (3) develop the necessary skills to research and present music-specific texts, for example, CD and concert reviews, and/or musically-informed program notes pertaining to a set work performed by the UWA Symphony Orchestra; and (4) apply Harvard and Chicago referencing methodologies as appropriate for the various sub-disciplines of music, for example, music notation, musicology, ethnomusicology and music psychology. (Note: As an academic discipline, music is unusual given that music sub-disciplines use various forms of the Harvard and Chicago referencing systems).

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) a quiz; (2) a coursework portfolio; and (3) workshop participation and presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.

All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.

Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary reading', 'Recommended reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.